A recent Northwest Mutual study shows a connection between being a disciplined financial planner and being happy in retirement. The study shows that highly disciplined planners — those who know their goals, have detailed plans to meet them and don’t deviate from those plans — are more likely than non-planners to say they are “happy in retirement” (91 percent vs. 63 percent).

“Happiness can’t be bought, of course, but it can be planned for,” says Northwestern Mutual executive vice president Greg Oberland. “The links between discipline, financial security and happiness are quite distinct. There’s some powerful evidence to suggest that the small steps you take today can make a real difference tomorrow.”